Day: March 30, 2026

Jeddah: His Majesty King Abdullah II, in Jeddah on Monday, held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the prime minister of Saudi Arabia, during which they discussed the dangerous ramifications of current regional developments on the region and the world.

According to Jordan News Agency, a royal court statement indicated that His Majesty and the Saudi crown prince reiterated their condemnation of Iran’s attacks on Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and a number of Arab countries.

The King warned of the danger of the situation in the region being exploited as a pretext for violating worshippers’ freedom of access to Al Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and to create new facts on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza.

His Majesty also stressed the importance of stopping Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, calling for supporting Lebanon’s efforts to maintain its security, stability, and sovereignty.

Amman: Foreign ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Trkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Arab Republic of Egypt strongly condemned and rejected the ongoing Israeli restrictions on freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem.

According to Jordan News Agency, these restrictions include preventing Muslim worshippers from accessing the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif and barring the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to hold Palm Sunday mass. The ministers reiterated their condemnation of and rejection of any Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

They affirmed that these ongoing Israeli measures constitute a blatant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as a breach of the historical and legal status quo and an infringement on the unrestricted right of access to places of worship.

The ministers stressed their absolute rejection of illegal and restrictive Israeli measures against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem, including preventing Christians from freely accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform their religious rituals. They emphasized the need to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, reaffirming that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and highlighting the need to halt all measures that obstruct worshippers’ access to their places of worship.

The ministers also condemned Israel’s continued closure of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif to worshippers for 30 consecutive days, including during the holy month of Ramadan, and the imposition of restrictions on freedom of worship, which they said constitutes a serious violation of international law and the status quo, as well as Israel’s obligations as an occupying power. They warned of the risks posed by such escalatory measures to regional and international peace and security.

The ministers reaffirmed that the entire area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, measuring 144 dunams, is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims and that the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, is the sole legal authority responsible for administering the mosque and regulating access to it.

They called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately stop closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif, remove restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access to the mosque. They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as its violations of the sanctity of these sites.

Deir alla: Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Monday handed over 20 new homes to underprivileged families in Deir Alla District, marking the birthday of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry revealed that each 117-square-meter unit was funded by a donor and allocated to the most vulnerable families, including orphans, persons with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. Minister Bani Mustafa emphasized that the project aligns with royal directives aimed at improving living conditions and strengthening social protection. The beneficiaries of the housing initiative were selected based on clear criteria, developed in coordination with local authorities.

Minister Bani Mustafa also stated that the Ministry is committed to expanding housing and social support programmes through partnerships with both public and private sectors. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance social welfare and ensure that basic needs are met for disadvantaged communities.

Beneficiaries of the new homes expressed their appreciation for the initiative, highlighting its significant impact on their stability and quality of life. The provision of these homes marks a step forward in addressing the housing needs of underprivileged families in the region.

Amman: The International Monetary Fund warned on Monday that the war in the Middle East has caused severe disruptions to the economies of countries in the conflict zone and is casting a shadow over the outlook of many economies that had only recently begun recovering from previous crises.

According to Jordan News Agency, in a blog published on the fund’s official website by its senior economists, the IMF said the war has triggered a global shock, though an uneven one, and has led to tighter financial conditions.

The fund reported that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and damage to regional infrastructure have caused the largest disruption to the global oil market in history. Much will depend on the duration of the war, the extent of its spread, and the scale of damage to infrastructure and supply chains.

The IMF noted that low-income countries are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity due to rising food and fertilizer prices and may require additional external support at a time when many advanced economies are scaling back their international assistance.

“While the war may affect the global economy in different ways, all paths lead to higher prices and slower growth,” the economists wrote.

Researchers pointed out that sustained increases in energy and food prices will exacerbate global inflation, noting that historically, persistent rises in oil prices tend to push up inflation and dampen growth. They added that the war could also fuel expectations of prolonged inflation, which may translate into higher wages and prices, making it harder to contain the shock without a sharp slowdown in growth.

Amman: Head of the Parliamentary Public Services and Transport Committee Ayman Badadwa called for improving the taxi sector and addressing challenges facing drivers to enhance service quality. During a committee meeting attended by Transport Minister Nidal Qatamin, Land Transport Regulatory Commission Director Riyad Kharabsheh, and taxi representatives, officials reviewed key issues affecting the sector.

According to Jordan News Agency, MPs called for practical solutions to sustain taxi operations and boost competitiveness amid changes in the transport industry. Qatamin stated that the Ministry is acting on reports of unlicensed transport by private vehicles and would follow up on concerns raised. He highlighted that oversight of regulatory offices is being strengthened to ensure compliance and enhance operational standards.

Kharabsheh noted that WhatsApp groups used for illegal transport have been shut down in coordination with relevant authorities. This move aims to curb the rise of unauthorized transport activities, which pose a significant challenge to the traditional taxi sector.

Taxi representatives at the meeting urged for lower licensing fees and stricter enforcement against unlicensed operators, citing growing competition from ride-hailing apps. They emphasized the need for regulatory measures that would create a level playing field and support the livelihood of licensed taxi operators.

Northern mazar: Tests for the King Abdullah II Award for Physical Fitness began on Monday at the Northern Mazar District Education Directorate, with extensive participation from school students. This marks the twentieth edition of the award at the Ministry of Education level.

According to Jordan News Agency, the tests took place at various centers, including Al-Mazar Comprehensive Secondary Mixed School, Houfa Al-Mazar Secondary School for Girls, and Jahfiya Secondary School for Boys. Students were assessed across five components of the award: speed and agility, trunk and arm flexion, flexibility, and running.

Director of the Northern Mazar District Education Directorate, Omaima Al-Masri, emphasized that the award seeks to enhance students’ physical fitness, encourage a spirit of challenge and perseverance, and promote healthy lifestyles. This initiative aligns with His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision of preparing a generation with sound health behaviors.

Al-Masri further stated that the directorate is dedicated to providing all necessary requirements and facilities for participating schools and students. The aim is to achieve the best results, boost students’ self-confidence, and foster a spirit of competition.